After one of the greatest years in British sporting history, Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Clare Balding host the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, live from London’s ExCeL on BBC One and BBC One HD.

In front of a crowd of over 15,000 people, the star-studded event will feature some of the greatest names in world sport, with the evening culminating in the presentation of one of the most coveted awards in sport, which is chosen by viewers live on the night.

There are 12 contenders for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award this year to reflect such an extraordinary year, and with so much to look back on from the last 12 months, the show has been extended by an extra half-an-hour.

The 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year will bring down the curtain on a historic 12 months of sport and you can enjoy the entire ceremony live on BBC One from 7.30pm on Sunday, December 16.

Following an unprecedented year of sport, the BBC has announced the final shortlist of 12 sportspeople who make up the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012.

This year’s list, revealed live on the BBC’s One Show programme by presenter Gary Lineker, reflects the success of a truly remarkable year and the exceptional achievements of British sportsmen and women.

The 12 shortlisted contenders will now compete for the public vote on the night of the live show, which will be presented by Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Clare Balding, on BBC One and BBC One HD on Sunday, December 16, starting at 7.30pm.

The BBC will bring the curtain down on a phenomenal year for British sport in a revamped Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

Given the calibre and number of potential candidates that 2012 has produced, the corporation has decided to extend the shortlist to 12 sportspeople, an increase from 10 in previous years.

The selection process to determine the final shortlist has also been overhauled, with former SPOTY nominees, sports journalists and broadcasters included on an expert panel that will decide the final 12.

Rounding off what has been a sensational sporting year, viewers will decide their BBC Sports Personality of the Year during the live broadcast from Excel, London, on Sunday, December 16 on BBC One.